St. Louis by Water: My Gateway Arch Riverboat Cruise Along the Mississippi River
St. Louis, Missouri ✈
I recently took an hour-long Mississippi River Cruise in St. Louis, Missouri aboard the "Tom Sawyer," a multi-level boat docked near The Gateway Arch. The boat itself had both outdoor decks and an indoor area, providing plenty of seating options depending on how much sun or shade you wanted.
Gateway Arch Riverboat Cruises operate sightseeing and themed cruises along the Mississippi River offering visitors a unique way to experience the city and the iconic Gateway Arch. The cruises run from the riverfront dock located just below the Arch, featuring the classic paddlewheel-style boats which are designed to resemble the 19th-century riverboats that once navigated the Mississippi.
“My cruise aboard the Tom Sawyer offered a relaxing and scenic way to experience the Mississippi River and St. Louis' rich history. The combination of modern comfort and the classic riverboat feel made it a unique experience.”
These cruises vary in length and theme, ranging from the standard St. Louis Riverfront Cruise, which provides an hour-long narrated tour of the river’s landmarks, to specialty cruises such as dinner cruises, blues music cruises, and holiday-themed events.
Narration on the standard riverfront cruise offers historical context about St. Louis and the significance of the river, while pointing out important. There are also options for private charters and special event bookings, making the riverboats a popular choice for both tourists and locals.
The “Tom Sawyer” is a traditional riverboat, styled after the historic paddlewheel boats that once dominated the Mississippi River during the 19th century. Though it has modern engines, the boat retains a classic appearance with its multi-level design and large paddlewheel on the stern, evoking the iconic steamboats of the past.
In the inner cabin of the boat, they offered a small selection of drinks and snacks for purchase. There was a variety of beverages, including soft drinks, bottled water, and iced tea, as well as some alcoholic options like beer and wine. For snacks, they had popcorn, chips, pretzels, and candy bars. While the selection isn’t extensive, it’s enough for a light refreshment during the cruise, allowing you to relax and enjoy the ride with a snack or drink in hand.
The cruise started by heading north up the Mississippi River from the Arch. As we moved along the river, we passed by several landmarks, including notable buildings along the downtown St. Louis skyline. One of the most prominent areas we passed was Laclede's Landing, a historic district just north of the Gateway Arch. The area, filled with restored 19th-century warehouses, represents the city’s industrial past and is now home to restaurants, bars, and entertainment spots.
Another key structure was the Eads Bridge, which was an engineering marvel when it was completed in 1874. As one of the first steel arch bridges in the world, it stands out both historically and visually. Further along, we passed by the Gateway Motorsports Park in the distance, located on the Illinois side of the river, a reminder of the city's connection to motorsports.
We cruised under The Martin Luther King Bridge, originally known as the Veterans Bridge, which opened in 1951 and renamed in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968. It’s an older cantilever truss bridge that spans the Mississippi, connecting downtown St. Louis to East St. Louis, Illinois. At the time of its construction, it was primarily used for vehicular traffic, alleviating some of the pressure on the nearby Eads Bridge.
This bridge, like many of its era, features a steel framework that was common for mid-20th century bridges. Though not as heavily trafficked as other crossings, it still serves as an important route, particularly for local commuters. Over the years, the bridge has undergone several renovations to maintain its structural integrity.
The Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge was another notable crossing, its modern cable-stayed design contrasting sharply with the older bridges. It is a much newer and more modern structure. Opened in 2014, it was built to ease congestion on other bridges, particularly the Poplar Street Bridge, which handles both interstate traffic and local commuters. Named in honor of Stan Musial, the beloved St. Louis Cardinals baseball legend, and in recognition of U.S. veterans, this bridge is a cable-stayed structure that stretches 1,500 feet over the Mississippi.
The Stan Musial Bridge’s sleek design, featuring a main span supported by two towers with cables extending down to the deck, makes it visually distinct and a significant engineering achievement. It primarily carries Interstate 70, providing an essential link in the region’s highway system.
Of course, the Gateway Arch remained the central visual anchor throughout the trip, standing tall as the defining symbol of St. Louis. Seeing it from the river provided a different perspective from being directly underneath or at its top.
These landmarks offered a mix of historical, industrial, and modern elements, all tied to the river’s significance in the city’s development. As we continued, we saw various industrial sites, such as old factories and river terminals that highlight the working role the Mississippi still plays in transporting goods.
The boat eventually turned back, heading south past the Gateway Arch again, giving us another chance to take in the impressive monument from the water. The cruise continued for a bit further downstream before making its final turn to return to port. It was a relaxing way to see both the city and the river, with enough time to enjoy the views from both sides of the boat.
The Mississippi River
The Mississippi River has played a central role in the history of St. Louis, shaping the city’s development and identity over centuries. Founded in 1764 by French fur traders, St. Louis grew rapidly due to its strategic location on the western banks of the Mississippi. The river was the main artery for trade and transportation in the region, connecting St. Louis to cities along the river both north and south, including New Orleans and Minneapolis.
In the early 19th century, as the United States expanded westward, St. Louis became known as the "Gateway to the West." The river was crucial for the Lewis and Clark Expedition, which set off from St. Louis in 1804 to explore the newly acquired Louisiana Territory. St. Louis quickly became a hub for riverboat traffic, especially steamboats, which dominated the river in the 19th century. Goods such as cotton, furs, timber, and grain flowed through the city, establishing its role as a key commercial center.
The construction of the Eads Bridge in 1874 was another turning point in the river's history in St. Louis. It was the first bridge to span the Mississippi at this point and became a major transportation link, connecting rail traffic from the East to the expanding markets in the West. The bridge was also an engineering feat, using steel and a cantilever design that was groundbreaking at the time.
In the 20th century, while railroads and highways diminished the importance of river trade, the Mississippi River remained a vital waterway for transporting goods, particularly bulk commodities like coal and grain. St. Louis' riverfront was revitalized over time, most notably with the construction of the Gateway Arch in the 1960s, which commemorates the city’s role in westward expansion.
Today, the river still plays a functional role for commerce, but it has also become a symbol of St. Louis’ rich history, culture, and identity.
My cruise aboard the Tom Sawyer offered a relaxing and scenic way to experience the Mississippi River and St. Louis' rich history. The combination of modern comfort and the classic riverboat feel made it a unique experience. From the bridges we passed under to the city landmarks visible along the way, the cruise provided a new perspective on the city’s connection to the river. It’s a peaceful way to take in both the sights and sounds of St. Louis, while reflecting on the significance of the Mississippi throughout the city’s history.
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